Martha’s Vineyard voters are set to weigh in on a trio of contested local races and choose among candidates for regional commissions in midterm elections Tuesday that promise to shape the Cape and Islands as well as the rest of the country for years to come.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. across the Island Tuesday, Nov. 8. A steady stream of early voters have already cast their ballots, although fewer than voted early in 2020. Early voting in-person ends Nov. 4, while absentee and mail-in ballots will be accepted until Monday, Nov. 7.

At the top of the ballot is a contested race for governor as Republican Gov. Charlie Baker steps down following his second term. Attorney General Maura Healey, a Democrat, faces off against Republican Geoff Diehl, a former state representative who ran for Senate and lost in 2018. Ms. Healey has significantly outraised Mr. Diehl, according to state filing data, with about $15 million to his $1 million.

Kevin Reed, a Libertarian, is also on the gubernatorial ballot.

In statewide races, voters will also decide contested races for attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.

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In the first contested regional race on the ballot, incumbent Congressman Bill Keating, a Democrat, is seeking reelection against Republican challenger Jesse G. Brown to represent a region that includes the Cape, Islands and South Shore. Rep. Keating was elected to congress in 2010. The 70-year-old politician lives in Bourne with his wife Tevis. Mr. Brown is a former Marine and businessman who lives in Plymouth. He did not provide his age to the Gazette.

The Gazette solicited statements from both Mr. Keating and Mr. Brown, who argued their cases ahead of the election.

Mr. Keating said he helped keep the Steamship Authority afloat during the pandemic and ensured the Navigator Homes project received USDA funding. He touted his long experience working on wastewater, dredging, flooding and erosion issues. He also pointed to his recent effort to lobby the Biden Administration to increase the cap on foreign summer workers.

“As a former Vineyard homeowner representing the Island for twelve years in Congress, I understand its unique needs,” Mr. Keating said. “And, I stand alone in this race in defending women’s reproductive rights, reducing prescription drug costs, and protecting Medicare.”

Mr. Brown said he would prioritize bringing resources to the [district] to combat the opioid crisis, support the fishing industry and seek funding for bridge improvements.

“I am running for Congress to bring my ‘get it done’ attitude to Washington,” Mr. Brown said. “With inflation at a 40-year high, hard-working Americans are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of food and energy. A top priority of mine is implementing a common sense budget that makes the cost of living more affordable for working people.

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Democrat Robert Joseph Galibois and Republican Daniel Higgins are competing for the open position of Cape and Islands district attorney, as Michael D. O’Keefe prepares to step down, ending a 20-year career in office. 

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In a race for a seat in the state Senate, Republican Christopher Robert Lauzon is challenging incumbent, Democrat Julian Andre Cyr. Mr. Cyr was elected to the state senate in 2016. The 36-year-old Truro resident is a former director of policy in the state Department of Environmental Protection and former representative to the Massachusetts commission on LGBTQ youth.

Mr. Lauzon, 33, lives in Marston Mills with his wife Christina and four children. Making his first bid for public office, Mr. Lauzon is a former deckhand and first mate for Hy-Line Cruises, and now works in the family auto repair business.

The Gazette solicited statements from both candidates.

Mr. Cyr pointed to his years of experience in the state Senate and work to secure funding for the Island throughout the pandemic. He said housing was his number one priority, and noted his work navigating the housing bank legislation through the statehouse.

“I have a track record of accomplishment and I’ve delivered for my constituents,” Mr. Cyr said. “Just this year, I brought back $4.8 million to the region to build housing that Islanders and Cape Codders desperately need. I’m also fighting to establish a transfer fee on luxury home sales to fund year round housing.”

Mr. Lauzon noted his long experience of working on the Cape, and said that informed his hands-on approach to government.

“Chris gained first-hand knowledge of the importance of the Island tourism economy and the critical lifeline provided by each ferry service,” a statement sent to the Gazette said in part. “Chris is invested in and knowledgeable of the local community and wants to ensure the Cape and Islands remain an affordable and safe place for our families.”

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Eight incumbent candidates are running for nine at-large seats on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. Those candidates are Jeffrey Agnoli and Christina Brown of Edgartown, Ernest Douglas Sederholm and Linda Bauer Sibley of West Tisbury, Benjamin F. Robinson and Clarence A. Barnes 3rd of Tisbury, Jay M. Grossman of Chilmark and Fred J. Hancock of Oak Bluffs.

Longtime commissioner Jim Vercruysse, of Aquinnah, confirmed in a phone call with the Gazette that he is not running for re-election. Mr. Vercruysse, a former commission chairman, has served six total terms on the commission.

“I’m intentionally not running,” Mr. Vercruysse said. “It’s good for other people to get on the commission too.”

At least two candidates confirmed with the Gazette that they are runnning write-in campaigns; Carole Vandal, 63, of Aquinnah, and Jennifer Smith Turner, 70, of Oak Bluffs.

According to the commission’s enabling legislation, the nine at-large seats must be filled by at least one, but by no more than two, representatives from each Island town. This means that the top vote getter from each town will be elected, along with the other three highest vote recipients.

All seven seats on the Dukes County Commission are up for reelection next week as well. The departures of John Cahill, who was elected this spring as a Tisbury selectman, Leon Braithwaite and Keith Chatinover leave three vacant seats on the commission.

On the ballot are incumbents Christine Catherine Todd and Richard G. Wharton of Oak Bluffs, Donald R. Leopold of Chilmark and Tristan R. Israel of Tisbury. Running for two of the open seats are newcomers James Wilson Klingensmith and Douglas Ruskin of West Tisbury.

Mounting a write-in campaign for the final remaining seat on the commission is Aquinnah select board chair Julianne Vanderhoop. In a phone call to the Gazette this week, she confirmed her candidacy and said she plans to retain her seat on the select board if elected.

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Three candidates are also running unopposed in local and state elections, including state Rep. Dylan Fernandes and Dukes County sheriff Robert Ogden.

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The ballot also includes four statewide questions, as well as a fifth local question regarding wastewater in Oak Bluffs and the sale of alcohol without food in Tisbury.